Conservation Area Character Appraisals

Conservation Area Character Appraisals (CACAs) help residents and the council to understand the history of an area and why it is special. They help shape future developments and planning policies, as well as giving residents an idea of what enhancements could be made. With respect to conservation areas within the South Downs National Park, the National Park Authority has taken over responsibility for preparing conservation area character appraisals. Copies of the appraisal documents are available to be viewed and downloaded.

Whilst the references to planning policy and legislation, particularly in relation to "permitted development" within the appraisals were accurate at the time they were published, policies do change and it is always advisable to check with the Development Management Team before undertaking any works to your property.

Conservation Area Appraisals currently under review

We have recently completed reviews of the Conservation Area Character Appraisals for Chichester and Selsey. As part of the review we have assessed the conservation area boundaries and are recommending some change. As part of the review of the Selsey Conservation area, we have also identified another area of special architectural and historic significance and are proposing a new conservation area be designated to cover that area. Weare in the process of getting the recommended changes approved and will then be implement them through a formal designation procedure.

Copies of the reviewed appraisal documents and Townscape Appraisal maps can be found by following the links under Selsey and Chichester Conservation Area Appraisal reviews.

Fishbourne conservation area character appraisal review

As part of a program to update all the districts Conservation Area appraisals, the Conservation Area Character Appraisal for Fishbourne, published in March 2007, has been reviewed and updated. The review of the Conservation Area included an examination of the existing boundaries of the Conservation Area to consider the potential for other areas to be included and, if appropriate, where existing areas should be excluded.

The purpose of a Conservation Area character appraisal is to define the 'special architectural or historic interest' that warrants its designation, and to identify what it is about the character and appearance of the area that should be preserved or enhanced. Appraisals therefore define the features of interest that give each conservation area its special architectural and historic character, as well as any features that detract from the character of the area. However, it should be noted that an appraisal does not represent an exhaustive record of every building, feature or space within the Conservation Area and any omission should not be taken to imply that an element is not of interest.

A public consultation on the revised character appraisal document, proposed changes to the Conservation Area boundary, and proposals for additional planning controls, through the use of Article 4 Direction to protect the area's character, is being carried out between 16 June and 28 July.

If you were unable to attend the public exhibition on 16 and 17 June, you can view or download the pdf versions of the exhibition panels and consultation documents.

Chichester Conservation Area Character Appraisal Review

Chichester Conservation Area Character Appraisal, published in March 2005 has been reviewed and updated as part of a program to update all the districts conservation area appraisals. The review of the conservation area included an examination of the existing boundaries of the conservation area to consider the potential for other areas to be included and, if appropriate, where existing areas should be excluded.

A public consultation on the revised character appraisal document, proposed changes to the conservation area boundary, and proposals for additional planning controls, through the use of Article 4 Direction, to protect the area's character was undertaken and in response we received a number of representations asking us to consider some additional areas for inclusion in the conservation area. The additional areas suggested include:-

an easterly extension along Oving Road up to St James Road and including the former Wheatsheaf pub and 64 to 70 Oving Road and properties on the east side of Guilden Road, the southern end of Green Lane, Russell Street and 3 to 19 St James Road;

properties on east side of Whyke Lane, the west side of Whyke Road and parts of Bognor Road to the east and south of the York Road junction; and

historic wall structures on the west side of Mount Lane along the River Lavant and also 1 St Bartholomew's Close, including the yard area and associated historic walls.

The Council has considered these representations and agreed that there would be justification for these additional areas on the basis of the areas' existing character, their history and the quality of the architecture. The Council's Cabinet considered these proposals, along with the revised Character Appraisal document, on 6th September 2016 and agreed the proposed changes subject to further consultation of residents that would be affected as these extensions did not form part of the original consultation proposals.

This further consultation has completed and there was widespread support for the proposed additional areas. We are therefore in the process of obtaining final approval for the proposed changes before we implement them.

The approved appraisal document and townscape maps showing all the planned boundary changes can be viewed:

Selsey Conservation Area Character Appraisal Review

Selsey Conservation Area Character Appraisal, published in January 2007 has been reviewed and updated as part of a program to update all the districts conservation area appraisals. The review of the conservation area included an examination of the existing boundaries of the conservation area to consider the potential for other areas to be included and, if appropriate, where existing areas should be excluded.

A public consultation on the revised character appraisal document, proposed changes to the conservation area boundary, the proposed new conservation area at East Selsey and proposals for additional planning controls, through the use of Article 4 Direction, to protect the area's character was undertaken during April and May 2016. The finalised character appraisal documents along with the recommendations for boundary changes, proposed new conservation area and any additional planning controls were considered by the Council's Cabinet on 4th October 2016. However, following a request by Selsey Town Council that the District Council de-designate the existing Selsey Conservation Area Cabinet resolved to defer a decision on the review and recommendations to allow time for further discussions with the Town Council.